Schnider has experience playing in big events. He played in the U.S. amateur at age 27 and the 2004 Buick Invite, now the Farmers Invitational, at Torrey Pines, where he qualified as an amateur. 

“The coolest part about this is that when I was 34 years old, I played at Torrey Pines, and my dad was on the bag for me,” Schnider said. “It was a dream of his to carry his son’s bag inside the ropes.”

Schnider added, “20 years later, my son is caddying for me at the U.S. Senior Open.”

Playing in a PGA Tour event gave Schnider the confidence he could play against the best and compete.

“I didn’t go pro after college, but I always wanted to know if I could come out there,” Schnider said. “I played in that tournament and missed the cut, but I shot a 69 in the second round. That was something I always wanted to do.”

However, qualifying is not the best part of the upcoming week. The best part is who he is able to share the experience with.

“The big excitement for me is being able to share this with my son, who will caddy with some of the best in the world and meet some of these guys,” Schnider said.

He added, “The results we create, whatever it is, it is, but the week is going to be the best time of my life.” 

Schnider will get to play early, as he is in the opening group on Thursday and will tee off at 7:00 a.m. with Jeff Martin of Attleboro, Mass. and Will Yanagisawa of Long Beach, Calif.